New leaders for Anglican & Catholic Christians

By Jamie Pearce.

Readers of this newsletter will be aware of the new leadership of worldwide Christians that we have just seen installed. Just how has this taken place, and what will it mean?

You may be wondering just what Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected Pope on 13 March, will bring as the 266th Bishop of Rome. Others might be wondering just what Justin Welby, installed as Archbishop of Canterbury on 21 March, will bring as the 105th occupant of the Chair of Saint Augustine.

It’s been observed that rarely have these two positions been occupied by such similar individuals as the immediate predecessors of the new Pope and the new ’Cantuar’ (as the Archbishop of Canterbury is known by the Anglican cognoscenti). Both Pope Benedict and Archbishop Rowan Williams are highly regarded scholars, both are described as introverts, both have been known to carry very seriously the weight of their high office and the major challenges confronting them. Both were in their respective roles for roughly the same period.

Their respective successors seem to be very different — and it is a well known factor in organisations that new appointments regularly reflect qualities seen as deficiencies, or even weaknesses, in their immediate predecessors.

So, what of these newly installed successors, their backgrounds, how they were appointed, and most significantly, what challenges do they face as they take up their roles as Christian leaders in 2013?

Social Policy Connections is an independent, ecumenical organisation, motivated and informed by Christian social thinking. Our purpose is to expand awareness of social justice issues in Australia and overseas, and to influence public policy for the benefit of all people, especially the most disadvantaged. SPC is not aligned with any political party. Click here for our brochure.

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Social Policy Connections is an independent, ecumenical organisation, motivated and informed by Christian social thinking. Our purpose is to expand awareness of social justice issues in Australia and overseas, and to influence public policy for the benefit of all people, especially the most disadvantaged. SPC is not aligned with any political party.

To help bring the social involvements of the churches into contemporary policy debates and shape a more just society, Social Policy Connections is committed to inform, advocate and engage.

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Convene open forums for fresh voices, especially those with singular expertise or experience.

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Publish research papers, opinion pieces and social comment.

Utilise the print media, along with radio and electronic media, including the internet.

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